Jamie Lynn Spears is engaged, and big sis Britney Spears is thrilled. "So excited and happy for my sister, congrats @jamielynnspears - love you," Britney tweeted out Monday morning. Her tweet was in reaction to a couple of Instagram posts from the younger Spears on Sunday, when she shared the fact that boyfriend Jamie Watson had popped the question. "Guesssss what??????" Jamie Lynn wrote to caption an all-smiles shot of herself flaunting a new ring on that finger, with 30-year-old Watson at her side. Posting a brilliantly clear picture of a brilliant and big rock, the 21-year-old wrote on the second shot, "#hedidgood.

Britney Spears is in a war of words with her former employers at "The X Factor. " The pop diva released a statement Friday confirming that she won't be returning as a judge for the Fox singing show. Except, according to Spears, it wasn't the producers' decision. It was all hers. "I've made the very difficult decision not to return for another season," a statement attributed to Spears said. "I had an incredible time doing the show and I love the other judges and I am so proud of my teens, but it's time for me to get back in the studio....

Britney Spears is in a war of words with her former employers at "The X Factor. " The pop diva released a statement Friday confirming weeks of speculation that she won't be returning as a judge for the Fox singing show's third season. Except that, according to Spears, it wasn't the producers' decision. It was all hers. "I've made the very difficult decision not to return for another season," a statement attributed to Spears said. "I had an incredible time doing the show and I love the other judges and I am so proud of my teens, but it's time for me to get back in the studio.

It's been a big day for Britney Spears. Not only did she confirm she was leaving "The X Factor" after only one season, she also announced she and Jason Trawick were breaking off their engagement after only one year. "I'll always adore him and we will remain great friends," Spears said in a statement released to People announcing the end of the engagement. Brit's rep told the mag the decision was mutual. Added Trawick, her onetime agent who'd popped the question back in December 2011: "I love and cherish her and her boys and we will be close forever.

Britney Spears promised to dance until the world ended, but a more appropriate chorus hook might be "Keep on dancing 'till your term as an 'X Factor' judge ends. " Reports from sources close to the Fox vocal-talent show indicate the pop star will be abdicating her judging throne after just one season. She joins A&R and label vet L.A. Reid in departing the show after its second season. TMZ reports the usual he-said-she-said rigmarole , with Spears' camp declaring that she wants more time to work on music, while "X Factor" sources suggest her departure after one season was planned all along.

After the coffee. Before figuring out where this year went. The Skinny: We made it through this week in one piece. Now we just have to get through next week until things start to return to normal. Friday's headlines include a preview of the weekend box office, a profile of the pay channel Starz and another change in the works on Fox's "The X Factor. " Daily Dose: Democratic Rep. Ed Markey of Massachusetts has thrown his hat in the ring for John Kerry's Senate seat, which will open up should the Kerry be confirmed as secretary of State.

Britney, we hardly knew you. Just days after the Season 2 finale of "The X Factor" comes word that Britney Spears - the pop singer hired to bring ratings sizzle to Simon Cowell's TV singing extravaganza - is getting the heave-ho as a judge after just one season. According to Us Weekly , Cowell is close to canning Spears because he doesn't feel she's earned her $15-million paycheck. "He wanted crazy Britney, but he got boring Britney," Us Weekly quoted an unnamed insider as saying.

Forbes has just issued its annual ranking of the highest-earning women in music, and heading the list is Britney Spears, whose $58 million from May 2011 through May 2012 outranked all others. It is, however, about 30% less than the $90 million that Lady Gaga earned the previous year to top the magazine's 2011 roster. Spears generated most of her $58 million from her “Femme Fatale” concert tour and album, along with additional revenue from her Elizabeth Arden fragrance line and other product endorsements.

Pop star and singing competition judge Britney Spears has bought the Thousand Oaks home of former professional hockey player Russ Courtnall and his wife, actress Paris Vaughan. The property came on the market in August at $8.5 million and was withdrawn from the Multiple Listing Service within a month. A withdrawal is a tactic sometimes used to hide celebrity home purchases. The sales price was not disclosed. The Mediterranean-style house, built in 2010, is in the Lake Sherwood area.